DENVER, CO – No. 2 Eaglecrest (21-2) battled through early struggles and delivered in the clutch to defeat Smoky Hill 56-52 on Saturday night, securing the Centennial League Tournament championship while giving head coach Jarris Krapcha his 200th career win.

Trailing 39-36 heading into the fourth quarter, the Raptors turned up the intensity on both ends, outscoring Smoky Hill 20-13 in the final frame to clinch the title. The milestone win was a moment of reflection for Krapcha, who credited his team’s determination.

“You know, that’s my family, just supporting me, and I appreciate it,” Krapcha said. “It just means we’ve had some good players, and I’ve been doing this a long time. More important was winning this league tournament. We know how hard it is to win this league, and I’m proud of our kids for fighting through adversity today and getting the win.”

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Eaglecrest’s Late Surge Seals the Victory

Senior forward LaQuince York was instrumental in the Raptors’ second-half push, helping set the tone with his effort and physicality inside.

“I love my team,” York said. “We just kept pushing and pushing. Good win for us.”

Senior center Garrett Barger acknowledged the slow start but emphasized how much it meant to fight through early foul trouble and come away with the win.

“We started off horribly, Ant (Nettles) got three fouls early, but to fight back and come away with the win just felt really good,” Barber said.

The Raptors’ defense locked in down the stretch, forcing tough shots and controlling the boards in the final minutes. Their late-game execution allowed them to close out the Buffaloes, who had controlled much of the first three quarters.

Looking Ahead

With the Centennial League Tournament title secured, Eaglecrest now shifts its focus to the state playoffs, where they enter as Colorado’s No. 2 seed. Their ability to perform in pressure situations will be crucial as they chase a championship.

For Smoky Hill, the loss was a hard-fought effort that showed they are capable of competing with the state’s best. The Buffaloes will look to carry that momentum into the postseason.

As for Krapcha, his 200th career win was a memorable one, but he made it clear that his focus remains on what’s ahead.

“We’ve had a fair amount of close games this past month, and that experience helps. Now it’s about preparing for the next step,” Krapcha said.

With a title in hand and a milestone achieved, Eaglecrest is ready to take on the challenges that await in the playoffs.